Cost of living

US ‘suffocating’ Iran with blockade: Treasury chief

US Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent said the US was “suffocating” Iran’s leadership through an “economic blockade”.

Malaysia’s food supply stable, but cost pressures may push prices higher, says minister

People browse for produce under Malaysian national flags at a fruit market in Kuala Lumpur on April 28.

S’pore must brace itself for difficult times ahead, but Govt will do more to help if needed: PM Wong

Singapore is better prepared for crisis and in a much stronger position today, said PM Wong at the May Day Rally on May 1.

Japan PM vows all-out efforts towards sustained pay hikes at May Day event

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivers a speech during an annual May Day rally, where workers advocate for their rights, at Yoyogi Park in Tokyo on April 29.

South Koreans split food, grocery deliveries with strangers amid rise in single-person households

“Sobun (subdividing) meeting” refers to a gathering of strangers who meet to share groceries or delivered food that a single person may not be able to finish alone.

FairPrice expands price freeze to cover more than 300 staple products, up from 100

Prices for these products will be locked until May 31, said the firm in a statement on April 23.

The move away from concierge care in private hospitals has begun

A well-functioning private healthcare sector is integral to Singapore’s economy.

Singaporeans adapt routines to cope with rising prices amid Iran war

Mr Vignesh Kumaravel says he is more careful with extra spending, while Ms Jean Chua and her family travel to Johor Bahru once a month for groceries and some discretionary spending.

Field Notes from Kuala Lumpur

Can cheaper latte and starting the day early solve KL’s perpetual traffic jams?

Vehicles on a road in the Bukit Bintang business area in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Carney vows to tackle cost of living in Canada with new majority government, suspends fuel tax

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney again stressed Canada’s economy needed to be “more independent.”

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.